Mountain West notes: Hawaii returns key players ahead of Nevada game

Hawaii quarterback Taylor Graham passes against Oregon State on Saturday.

Editor's note: The following Mountain West Conference notebook is a compilation of notes from beat writers around the MWC. Find complete notes from around the league at blogs.rgj. com/packblog.

It appeared the Rainbow Warriors, who have a bye this week and visit Nevada on Sept. 21, had found their groove with their best drive of the season - nine plays and 80 yards - to tie the game at 14 against Oregon State entering the intermission. But they struggled in the second half, with none of their five possessions lasting longer than 2 minutes, 5 seconds, and eventually lost, 33-14.

The Warriors shuffled the offensive line, with David Griffin starting at right tackle and Frank Loyd Jr. at right guard. But they converted once in 11 third-down situations, including three drops, and never found an offensive rhythm other than that second-quarter scoring drive.

Quarterback Taylor Graham was 10-of-20 for 90 yards. Although Sean Schroeder was at the controls for the final three possessions, Graham will remain as the No. 1 quarterback.

The Warriors suffered three key injuries. Middle linebacker Brenden Daley suffered a concussion in the first half. Kawika Borden, a safety and long snapper, was injured making a tackle. Safety Trayvon Henderson suffered a concussion. Borden and Henderson were part of the rotation in place of free safety Marrell Jackson, who did not play because of a knee injury.

Running back Joey Iosefa, defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii and tight end Jordan Pu'u-Robinson are expected to make their 2013 debuts against Nevada.

- Stephen Tsai, Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Boise State: Missed tackles have been a critical issue for the Boise State defense in the first two weeks of the season. Now, the Broncos will have to deal with Air Force's rushing attack, which puts a premium on tackling. "If (offenses) create space, you're going to miss tackles," coach Chris Petersen said. "So, we've got to get more guys to the point of attack. One guy is not going to make the tackle in space. If you see one guy out there missing tackles, it's probably not just his fault." ... Backup middle linebacker Travis Saxton (knee) is out for the year. ? Six true freshmen have played this season, including five on defense.

Colorado State: RB Donnell Alexander (hand) and WR Charles Lovett (knee) were practicing again Monday after sitting out with injuries and are expected to return this week. Alexander was the Rams' leading rusher last season and Lovett was the leading receiver.

New Mexico: Sophomore quarterback Cole Gautsche had not been cleared to play as of Monday after missing the UTEP game with concussion symptoms sustained late in the UTSA game. That decision likely will be made today, coach Bob Davie said.

Wyoming: Junior cornerback Tyran Finley, who started the season opener at No. 23 Nebraska, underwent season-ending surgery Monday. Wyoming will petition the NCAA to get Finley a medical redshirt.

Fresno State: The Bulldogs lost backup free safety Rodney Mathews to a knee injury against Cal Poly. They have moved backup corner Shannon Edwards to free safety and slot receiver Dillon Root to corner to try to cover up a position group where there is not a lot of depth.

UNLV: After UNLV gave up more than 50 points to each of the first two opponents, the Rebels' problems would seem to lie with their defense. They don't. Five touchdowns were given up with the defense off the field and a sixth TD was set up by a 36-yard fumble return to the 9-yard line. "Nobody, especially us and especially against a Pac-(12) or a Big Ten team, is going to win when you do those things," UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said. ... Hauck left open the possibility of starting senior Caleb Herring at quarterback over sophomore Nick Sherry, who has thrown 11 interceptions over his past five starts.